Between Duty and DNA: Telomere length in Service Dogs

Abstract

This study investigated whether the demanding tasks of PTSD service dogs lead to accelerated cellular aging, measured through Telomere Length (TL). Buccal DNA swabs were taken from 23 service dogs and 17 companion dogs. The results showed no significant difference in TL between service dogs and companion dogs, suggesting that PTSD service dogs do not experience more stress than pet dogs. Secondary findings showed differences in sleeping location and daytime sleep duration, but these were not associated with TL. The outcomes of this study align with the outcomes of V-PWR 1.0. Stable environments, high trainability, and predictable routines may buffer stress. More longitudinal research is needed to better understand long-term telomere dynamics.